The 330 children from 17 elementary schools and middle schools in Xicheng district gathered together for the preparitary meeting of National Astronomy Olympiad. The National Astronomy Olympiad is held once a year since 2003. Winners can represent China and participate in the International Astronomy Olympiad.
The preliminary contest of this year s National Astronomy Olympiad will be held on March 13th in Beijing. Children who pass the preliminary contest will be trained by professional astronomers and enter into the finals on May 15th in Guyuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.
The popularization of astronomy knowledge started last year. Now Beijing No.4 Middle School, the Experimental Middle School Affiliated with Beijing Normal University, Beijing No.35 Middle School and Beijing No.41 Middle School have all begun to offer the course of astronomy, while Beijing No.7 Middle School, Beijing No.8 Middle School, Sanfan Middle School, Fendou Elementary School and Beilishi Road No.1 Elementary School are about to offer the course in this year.
